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Professional initiative sponsor Tim Eyman has launched an effort to defeat a fall ballot measure that would increase Seattle property taxes to fund road, bridge and sidewalk improvements.

Eyman, who has never before led a Seattle-centric political campaign, said he doesn't know yet whether his group will sponsor a full-fledged campaign or simply seek to play counterpoint in debates, voter guides and the media.

At the very least, Eyman said, he wants to shine the limelight that follows him on the unusually designed measure.

"We're very concerned that the (debate over how to replace the ailing Alaskan Way Viaduct) seems to be gobbling up all the attention," Eyman said. "Say what you want about us but when we get involved there seems to be a lot of attention brought to the issue. And I think that that is critically important to something like this."

Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis predicted that Eyman is so unpopular in the city his campaign would backfire. "Tim Eyman's going to help us," Ceis said.

"I don't think people in Seattle want a watch dealer in Mukilteo telling them what to do," Ceis added, referring to Eyman's second job. "He comes out against things in order to make money. He's a mercenary and I don't think Seattle voters like ... him at all."

But Eyman said Seattle voters will see past any negative views they might have of him personally.

"It's a very smart electorate in Seattle -- they vote on the issues themselves," Eyman said. "And I think that anybody that examines this proposal is just going to find it to be completely indefensible."

Eyman's first foray into ballot proposals was a couple of days gathering signatures for a King County measure to force a public vote on a new baseball stadium. He is best known for his 1999 measure Initiative 695. Overwhelmingly approved by voters, it reduced car tab fees substantially. Although the courts later tossed the initiative, the Legislature and governor essentially restored it. Since then, he has sponsored numerous successful measures.

Washington election officials are reviewing petitions for another car tab measure Eyman seeks to put on the statewide fall ballot, but some observers predict early screening indicates he did not provide enough signatures to qualify.

The City Council and Mayor Greg Nickels plan to ask voters in November to approve the 20-year tax hike as the centerpiece of a package officials estimate is worth $1.6 billion. Politicians have already approved a $25-per-worker yearly business tax and 10 percent surcharge on commercial parking. Those don't require voter approval.

But the property tax does -- partly because of Eyman.

The proposal would boost the city's property tax collections by as much as 5 percent annually for six years, followed by 14 years of 1 percent increases. It would cost the average homeowner about $155 a year. In the first six years, it could increase how much the city collects from existing properties by 34 percent.

And, for the first time for such a measure in Seattle, it might be permanent. Normally, levies expire in about seven years and the city's levy reverts to previous levels. The City Council has approved a resolution stating that's its intent with this measure. But it's not binding to future councils.

The proposed six-year buildup of Seattle's tax base makes use of authority the Legislature granted cities several years ago in the wake of Eyman's statewide Initiative 747. I-747 restricts taxing districts from increasing their property tax levy more than 1 percent a year.

Eyman said he registered a new political committee with the state on Monday called "Vote No on the Never-Ending Tax."